Targets actuated upon impact by a missile

ABSTRACT

An amusement device having a plurality of individually actuatable targets, each operatively associated with a launching device which, in response to the impact of a missile upon its associated target, is actuated to fire a retaliatory shot in the direction from whence the missile came. The device is further capable to initiate return fire of either single shot or volley, depending upon which target is struck.

United States Patent Inventor Asle Klemma Roselle, lll.

Appl. No. 818,254

Filed Apr. 22, 1969 Patented Feb. 9, 1971 Assignee Richard R. Mybeck OakPark, Ill.

TARGETS ACTUATEI) UPON IMPACT BY A MISSILE 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 273/102.1, 273/103; 124/36 Int. Cl F41 j 7/00 Field ofSearch273/102. 1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 948,565 2/1910 Munshaw273/lO2.l 3,172,665 3/1965 Glass et al.... 273/102.l 3,398,956 8/1968Lukes 273/101 Primary Examiner-Richard C Pinkham AssistantExaminer-Marvin Siskind Attorney-Richard R. Mybeck PATENTEU FEB 9m!SHEET 1 N 2 3; 561,761

4.9 1.5 KLEMMA PATENTEU FEB 9 mu m 2 of 2 $561,761

INVENTOR- ASLE KLEMMA TARGETS ACTUATED UPON IMPACT BY A MISSILEDESCRIPTION OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to anamusement device and more particularly to a shooting range-type devicewhich responds to the impact of a missile upon at least one of aplurality of tag g targets by returning single or volley retaliatoryfire in the direction from whence the original missile came.

Target devices which return a shot have heretofore been known but suchdevices were limited to returning only the actual missile which hit thetarget. Thus, if the shot was deflected or otherwise unable to reach thereturn mechanism, no return could occur. Further, such devices couldonly provide a delayed response because of the time required for themissile to travel from the target to the return mechanism.

The present invention is predicated upon my design of a more realistic,quick responding; single or multiple shot retaliatory target devicecapable of creating a high degree of amusement among young and old andwhich incorporates a return fire mechanism responsive to each of aplurality of target stands, at least one of which in response to animpact thereupon, is adapted to initiate a sequence of events causingthe rapid fire of all such mechanisms.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to providean amusement device of the shooting range-type which provides realisticand prompt retaliatory fire in response to the impact of a missileagainst a target thereof.

Another object of the present'invention is to provide an amusementdevice of the type described in which each of several target stationsare preloaded with preselected missiles and are thereafter fired, eithersingly or in rapid fire sequence, in response to the pattern of missileimpact upon a target associated with one of said stations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an amusementdevice of the type described in which the operator may control whetherthe retaliatory fire will be single shot or a sequential volley and inwhich the retaliation is not dependent upon the location of theimpacting missile. These and still further objects as shall herein afterappear are fulfilled by the present invention in a remarkably unexpectedfashion as will be readily discerned from a careful consideration of thefollowing detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof,especially when read in conjunction with the accom' panying drawing inwhich:

passed a suitable pivot pin 17 to provide arcuate movement of target 12thereabout in a manner to be more fully explained.

Associated with each target 12 is a missile 20 such as a pingpong ballor the like, which rests upon a missile support 21 formed of a pair ofsubstantially parallel inverted U-shaped members 22 mounted on base 12.In a preferred embodiment. the crossbar portion 23 of each invertedU-shaped member 22 is bowed slightly downward to assist in thepositioning of missile 18.

Operatively associated with each missile support 21 is a spring means 25comprising a loop 26 formed of spring steel or other suitable biasablematerial, and arms 27,28 which are anchored into base 11, as withfasteners 29,30. Loop 26, when urged about the fulcrum provided byfastener 30, is placed under stress and in such condition can be engagedwithin the retaining notch 32 defined in arm 14 of support member 13, tolock the target assembly in an upright position as shown in FIG. 2. Whenloop 26 is thus engaged in notch 32 to place target 11 in an uprightposition, my firing mechanism, as will be described later in detail, isready for action.

As explained, a similar arrangement is provided in operativerelationship to each target 12 and each is associated independently witha missile 20 suitably placed in its corresponding missile support 21.

On base 11 to the rear of targets 12, are mounted upstanding flanges34,35 which define therebetween a channel 36 which is especially formedto slope from a high point adjacent to the most difficult, that is,smallest target lle, to a low point adjacent the least difficult, thatis largest target 110.

A plurality of slots 37 are defined in channel 36 transversely of itsaxis of slope and of sufficient dimension and appropriate location topermit the movement of arm 15 therethrough. The passage of arm 15through its corresponding slot 37 provides an obstruction transverselyof channel 36 as shown in FIG. 2. The purpose of which will be laterdescribed.

When the target assembly is in a fired or at rest position. as

. shown in FIG. 3, arm 15 descends into slot 37 and no longer FIG. 1 isa front elevation of a fort containing a return-fire target deviceembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken alongline II-II thereof and showing the return-fire mechanism in a cockedcondition;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the return-fire mechanism of FIG. 2after the mechanism has been actuated into retaliatory fire in responseto a hit on the target associated therewith;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in section of the device of FIG. 1 taken alongline IV-IV thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear view in section of thedevice of FIG. 4 taken along lineV-V thereof showing the device loaded for rapidfine retaliation;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the device of FIG. 4 taken along line VI-VIthereof after rapid-fine retaliatory fire has occurred.

FIG. 7 is an isometric showing, fragmented for convenience, of a tooldesigned to assist in loading the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an isometric showing, broken away for clarity, of the tool ofFIG. 7 in process of loading my device.

Referring now to the drawing, an amusement device em-. bodying thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a fort and identified bythe general reference 10.

Each device 10 comprises a base 11 having a plurality of targets 12,which may be of similar 'size or of diminishing size, as shown at a,.b,c, d and e operatively mounted therewith.

Each target 12 is independently mounted to a support member 13 which hasan upwardly extending arm 14 and a rearwardly extending arm 15 joined inan elbow 16 through which is presents an obstruction to channel 36.

To obtain rapid sequence retaliatory fire, a relatively heavy ringmember 41 is disposed in channel 36 at the uppermost portion thereof,that is, adjacent target I2e. Target 12a is loaded, however, prior topositioning ring 41 so that arm 15 thereof protrudes up from slot 37 andpresents an obstruction to the movement of ring 41 in channel 36.

In a similar fashion, target assemblies 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are alsoloaded, that is, each respective spring means 25 is biased rearwardlyuntil its corresponding loop 26 is engaged within notch 32 of the target12 associated therewith.

When device 10 is thus loaded and ring 41 is so positioned. theindividual firing at the targets such as with a dart arrow or gun, apellet gun or the like, may obtain either a single retaliatory shot or arapid fire volley of return fire, depending on which target is hit.

Thus, when device 10 is arranged as described, impact upon any of thetargets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e will cause the target so struck to movein a rearward direction about pivot pin 17 whereupon notch 32 isdisengaged from loop 26 and the bias in spring means 25 cause it to snapforward between members 22 of missile support 21 whereupon it strikesmissile 20 and propels or otherwise fires it back toward the directionof the original marksman whereupon the sensation offighting back isobtained.

To obtain rapid return fires, the hit must occur on the more difficulttarget, in this instance, target l2e. In addition to initiating thereturn fire of the missile 20 operatively associated with the target sostruck, in the manner just described, the action of target 12 in movingto the rear, in response to the impact of the hit, also causes arm 15 todescent into slot 37 whereby the obstruction provided ring 41 isremoved. When this occurs, the mass of ring 41 in response to the forceof gravity and the slope of channel 36, which is greater than theso-called angle of repose of ring 41, causes ring 41 to roll downchannel 36 with sufficient momentum and force that it is able to depresseach succeeding arm which it encounters. As each arm 15 is thusdepressed into its corresponding slot 37, the arcuate movement of target12 about pin 17 causes notch 32 to become disengaged from spring means25 whereupon loop 26 fires its missile just as though the target itselfhad been hit.

Ring 41 as it completes its downhill course succeeds in firing everyloaded target assembly and obtains a rapid sequence retaliatory fire.

To further contribute to the joyousness of the occasion, l provide aflag 43 on the downhill side of the lowermost slot 37 which is mountedto an elongated shaft 44 having an elbow 45 at its lower end thereofwhich extends through flanges 35 to present an upstanding triggerportion 46 to the path of the rolling ring 41. When ring 41 collideswith trigger 46, which had been standing essentially upright from thefloor of channel 36, it forces trigger 46 to move to a position alongchannel 36, that is, it pivots trigger 46 about 90 which movement istranslated by elbow 45 into shaft 44 and raises the flag 43 to anupright position as shown in FIG. 6.

In my preferred embodiment, flag 43 will be the white flag of surrendersignifying that the fort has exhausted its supply of missiles.

When this condition has been reached, the device 10 is reloaded bysuccessively engaging the several spring means within the notch 32 oftheir corresponding targets and depositing a missile 20 on each missilesupport 21.

Once reloaded, ring 41 is returned to the upper portion of channel 36where it is restrained by arm 15 of adjacent target l2e until it isreleased. Flag 43 is also rotated back to its hidden" position, as shownin FIG. 5, which causes trigger 46 to regain its upstanding position inthe projected path of ring 41.

When desired, rapid return fire can be temporarily eliminated byremoving ring 41 from within channel 36.

One other aspect of my invention involves my design of a convenient toolfor cocking the individual targets. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, my tool48 comprises an elongated body portion 49 having one end in which a pairof transverse notches 50 are cut or otherwise defined.

To use my tool 48, the loop 26 of spring means 25 is engaged in one ofthe pair of notches 50 and pressed rearwardly until it is engaged byretaining notch 32 of arm 14. The second of the transverse notches 50 isprovided to complement arm 14 and permit easier access of loop 26 intonotch 32.

From the foregoing it becomes apparent that a new and unique amusementdevice has been herein described and illustrated which fulfills all ofthe aforestated objectives in a remarkably unexpected fashion. It is ofcourse, understood, that theembodiments described is presented toillustrate the invention rather than limit it and that such alterations,modifications and adaptations as will readily occur to the artisanconfronted with this disclosure are intended within the spirit of theinvention, especially as it is defined by the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising a base; a target pivotally attached tosaid base vertically upstanding therefrom and moveable relative theretobetween a first and a second position; spring means carried by said basein operative engaged relationship to said target so that said means willnormally be latched in a biased condition when said target is in saidfirst position; missile holding means carried by said base and disposedin operative relationship with said spring means and adapted to supporta missile thereupon in position for said missile to be engaged by saidspring means upon disengagement of said spring means from said target inresponse to a force applied thereto.

2. An amusement device according. to claim 1 in which a plurality ofsaid targets are pivotally attached to said base vertically upstandingtherefrom in spaced relationship to each other, each of said targetsbeing moveable relative to said base between a first and a secondposition; spring means carried by said base in operative enga edrelationship to said targets so that said means will normal y be latchedm a biased condition when said target is in said first position, onewith a different one of said targets, missile holding means carried bysaid base and disposed one in operative relationship with each other oneof said spring means and adapted to support a missile thereupon inposition for said missiles to be engaged by disengagement of said springmeans from its corresponding one of said targets.

3. An amusement device according to claim 2 in which said base has afirst and second upstanding flange defining a channel therebetween, anda plurality of slots extending transversely of said channeL. said slotsbeing operatively aligned one each with one of said rearwardly extendingarms and coactable therewith to permit said arm to move into and out ofobstructing relationship with said channel while said target moves fromsaid first to said second position.

4. An amusement device according to claim 3 in which said channel slopesfrom one end to the other to provide a rolling downhill surface.

5. An amusement device according to claim 3 having a rollable memberoperatively disposed in said channel in abutting relationship to theuppermost of said obstructing arms and actuatable, in response to theremoval of said obstruction therefrom, to roll down said channel anddisengage each of said spring means from its corresponding one of saidtargets thereby simulating a rapid fire sequence of said missiles.

6. An amusement device according to claim 5 in which a flag assembly ispivotally connected to said base said assembly comprising a flag, andshaft and a trigger, said-trigger being disposed in said channel in thepath of said rollable member and responsive to impact therewith to movesaid flag and said shaft from a hidden to a visible position.

7. An amusement device according to claim 1 in which said targetcomprises an upwardly extending arm pivotally attached to said base.said arm having retaining means defined therein for receiving andholding said spring means when said target is in said first position.

8. An amusement device according to claim 7 in which said upwardlyextending arm is responsive to a force applied thereagainst to disengagesaid spring means therefrom.

9. An amusement device according to claim 8 in which said spring meanscomprises first and second arm portions and a loop portion operativelyinterposed therebetween, means connecting said arm portions to said baseto provide an axis of movement for said loop portion between a stressedposition in engagement with said target and an at rest position.

10. An amusement device according to claim 1 in which said targetcomprises a rearwardly extending arm pivotally attached to said base andresponsive to a force applied thereagainst to disengage said springmeans from said target.

11. An amusement device according to claim 1 in which said missileholding means comprises a pair of inverted U- shaped members disposed insubstantially parallel relationship with each other and spaced tosupport therebetween a missile disposed thereupon.

12. An amusement device according to claim 11 in which each U-shapedmember comprises a crossbar bowed to complement the shape of the missiledisposed thereupon.

1. An amusement device comprising a base; a target pivotally attached tosaid base vertically upstanding therefrom and moveable relative theretobetween a first and a second position; spring means carried by said basein operative engaged relationship to said target so that said means willnormally be latched in a biased condition when said target is in saidfirst position; missile holding means carried by said base and disposedin operative relationship with said spring means and adapted to supporta missile thereupon in position for said missile to be engaged by saidspring means upon disengagement of said spring means from said target inresponse to a force applied thereto.
 2. An amusement device according toclaim 1 in which a plurality of said targets are pivotally attached tosaid base vertically upstanding therefrom in spaced relationship to eachother, each of said targets being moveable relative to said base betweena first and a second position; spring means carried by said base inoperative engaged relationship to said targets so that said means willnormally be latched in a biased condition when said target is in saidfirst position, one with a different one of said targets, missileholding means carried by said base and disposed one in operativerelationship with each other one of said spring means and adapted tosupport a missile thereupon in position for said missiles to be engagedby disengagement of said spring means from its corresponding one of saidtargets.
 3. An amusement device according to claim 2 in which said basehas a first and second upstanding flange defining a channeltherebetween, and a plurality of slots extending transversely of saidchannel, said slots being operatively aligned one each with one of saidrearwardly extending arms and coactable therewith to permit said arm tomove into and out of obstructing relationship with said channel whilesaid target moves from said first to said second position.
 4. Anamusement device according to claim 3 in which said channel slopes fromone end to the other to provide a rolling downhill surface.
 5. Anamusement device according to claim 3 having a rollable memberoperatively disposed in said channel in abutting relationship to theuppermost of said obstructing arms and actuatable, in response to theremoval of said obstruction therefrom, to roll down said channel anddisengage each of said spring means from its corresponding one of saidtargets thereby simulating a rapid fire sequence of said missiles.
 6. Anamusement device according to claim 5 in which a flag assembly ispivotally connected to said base said assembly comprising a flag, andshaft and a trigger, said trigger being disposed in said channel in thepath of said rollable member and responsive to impact therewith to movesaid flag and said shaft from a hidden to a visible position.
 7. Anamusement device according to claim 1 in which said target comprises anupwardly extending arm pivotally attached to said base, said arm havingretaining means defined therein for receiving and holding said springmeans when said target is in said first position.
 8. An amusement deviceaccording to claim 7 in which said upwardly extending arm is responsiveto a force applied thereagainst to disengage said spring meanstherefrom.
 9. An amusement device according to claim 8 in which saidspring means comprises first and second arm portions and a loop portionoperatively interposed therebetween, means connecting said arm portionsto said base to prOvide an axis of movement for said loop portionbetween a stressed position in engagement with said target and an atrest position.
 10. An amusement device according to claim 1 in whichsaid target comprises a rearwardly extending arm pivotally attached tosaid base and responsive to a force applied thereagainst to disengagesaid spring means from said target.
 11. An amusement device according toclaim 1 in which said missile holding means comprises a pair of invertedU-shaped members disposed in substantially parallel relationship witheach other and spaced to support therebetween a missile disposedthereupon.
 12. An amusement device according to claim 11 in which eachU-shaped member comprises a crossbar bowed to complement the shape ofthe missile disposed thereupon.